Abstract:

To effectively prevent WMSDs among relevant occupational populations in China, this study evaluated the effects of a participatory ergonomic(PE) intervention on WMSD symptoms, ergonomic workload exposure, and WMSD-related knowledge among rail vehicle assembly workers. A 12-month intervention study was conducted among 181 workers in an assembly workshop of a rail vehicle manufacturing enterprise. Ladder/stool optimization and ergonomics training were implemented. The Chinese Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire and Quick Exposure Check (QEC) were used to assess WMSDs prevalence, ergonomic load, and awareness at baseline, mid-term follow-up (approximately 6 months after intervention), and final follow-up (approximately 12 months after intervention). GEE was used to analyze the longitudinal data. The results show that, at the final follow-up, the marginal prevalence of WMSDs decreases from 52.77% at baseline to 33.44%, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.63, which is statistically significant (P=0.002), indicating a 37% risk reduction. The QEC scores for the neck, shoulder, back and wrist decrease significantly with regression coefficients (β) of -1.61, -9.20, -3.20, and -5.98, respectively (all P<0.01), whereas work pace and psychological stress do not change significantly. The WMSDs awareness score increases from 1.35 to 3.80 (P<0.001). Participatory ergonomics intervention is effective in reducing WMSDs risk among vehicle assembly workers, and long-term intervention (≥12 months) has a significant effect on improving ergonomic load in key body regions.

Key words: vehicle assembly, assembly personnel, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), participatory ergonomics (PE), generalized estimating equation (GEE), ergonomic load